My Listings

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Welcome to The Cascade Team Lee Brettin



We are very happy to welcome Lee Brettin to The Cascade Team. Lee has a long background in real estate both as a commercial real estate broker and as a Real Estate Attorney. Lee is now looking forward to moving into residential real estate and will be forcused on the north Seattle market and will be working out of the Seattle office with Diego Vitelli.

Lee Brettin is a legal professional with a proven track record of 17 years practicing law and over 30 years of executive level experience in real estate transactions, management, development and brand building. Successful engagements include financial analysis, commercial sales, commercial lease negotiations, and real estate counseling to owners, developers and managers of real estate assets. His diversified experience includes private practice and in-house corporate counsel positions.

Lee's contact information is:
Phone: 206-522-7100
Lee@thecascadeteam.com

Motivational message

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Desperate FSBO

Homes for sale Issaquah Highlands

Issaquah - 1966 14th Ct NE - $439,000.00
Main Photo
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Parking Spaces: 2
Year Built: 2000
Subdivision: Issaquah Highlands
Garage Size: 2
School District: ISS
Square Footage: 2109
Agent Name: Matt Jensen 206-909-8200
Broker: The Cascade Team
MLS #: 47843
Price: $439,000.00
1966 14th Ct NE
Issaquah, WA 98029
Delightful 3 bedroom cul-de-sac home backing serene Greenbelt and protected wildlife pond. Beautiful cherry cabinets & polished tile counters in kitchen with view window overlooking pond. Classy formal dining room and living room with gas fireplace. Hardwood floors throughout. Master suite on main floor w/ 5 piece master bath. Den and 2 bedrooms on 2nd level. Deck off dining room great for entertaining! Great location near shops, parks, trails and more. For more information contact 206-909-8200.

The Cascade Team
425.396.4569
Powered by vFlyer.com Equal Housing OpportunityVFLYER ID: 3211055
All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change

Monday, March 29, 2010

Welcome to The Cascade Team Huyen Hansche


We are happy to welcome Huyen Hansche to The Cascade Team. Huyen will be working with Darin Robertson in the Bellevue office and was referred to us by Bridget Franklin. She worked with John L. Scott for several years, then went to Skyline. Huyen is really excited to join the Cascade Team and has already referred an agent to the company! We love that!

Welcome to The Cascade Team!

Homes for Sale Renton

4706 23rd Street Renton - $375,000
Main Photo
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2.5
Year Built: 2000
Garage Size: 2
School District: RNT
Square Footage: 2210
Agent Name: Shelly Ness
Broker: The Cascade Team
MLS #: 45983
Price: $375,000
4706 23rd Street
Renton, WA 98059
  • Range/Oven
  • Full Refrigerator
  • Washer/Dryer
  • Dishwasher
  • Sink Disposal
  • Microwave
  • Fireplace
  • Hardwood Floors
  • Vaulted Ceilings
Welcome home to this beautifully maintained Newcastle area home! Located on a quiet culdesac, this corner lot is spacious and open the perfect place to call home! Sellers have installed new carpet and fresh paint, this home is ready for you to move right in!. Wonderful kitchen is spacious and open to living areas. Corner sink and windows add extra light. Breakfast bar and pantry complete the kitchen making it very functional and comfortable! Large nook area is perfect for informal meals and open to kitchen and living room. Living room is open and spacious, featuring fireplace and an abundance of windows overlooking the fairly private backyard! Sliding glass doors off the family room lead to deck and fully fenced backyard. Formal living room is located off the light and bright front entrance. It features vaulted ceilings and Wainscoting Formal dining room is beautifully adorned with Wainscoting and high end detailing. This room is flex space and could be used for home office, arts and crafts room, play room, or whatever your lifestyle needs! Large master bedroom features extra windows and vaulted ceilings. Master bath is light and spacious featuring corner soaking tub, glass shower, walk in closet, and double vanity. Hurry -- Take advantage of the tax credits available! This home won't last long!
The Cascade Team
425.396.4569
Powered by vFlyer.com Equal Housing OpportunityVFLYER ID: 3210436
All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change

Home buying negotiation tips




You've found the home of your dreams, now it's time to negotiate with the seller to make it yours. Follow these tips to negotiate the best price you can without upsetting the seller and ruining the deal.

The average residential Home Buyer saved $17,642 with The Cascade Team in 2009!

Don't lowball
Start off negotiations by offering a fair price to the seller. You can offer a price that's lower than the asking price; just don't offer one that's too far off-base from the home's fair market price. If you start off with a severely low-ball offer, you'll negatively taint the negotiations from the get-go, and may even prompt the seller to reject your offer outright.

Be informed
Know as much about your local market as you can, such as the selling price of homes comparable to the one you hope to purchase -- before entering into the negotiation process. Seek out the advice of your real estate agent (she or he has most likely been through the negotiation process multiple times) and get advice from family and friends who've recently purchased a home.

Get to know the seller
Try to find out as much as you can about the home seller's situation. Is the seller in a hurry to move, say because of a job transfer or a divorce? If so, he or she may be willing to offer a lower price to make a sale happen. Or, has the seller owned the home for quite some time and seen substantial appreciation in the home? In that case, the seller may be more willing to negotiate on price (versus a seller who's purchased recently and may not have seen much appreciation in the home's value).

Establish a connection
This may sound silly, but if the seller can see you as a person -- not as some dollar-signs attached to an offer, you may be able to get a better deal. Write a letter to the seller, telling him or her how much you like the home and why it's the perfect one for you. You may want to add why it's a perfect one for your children to grow up in -- don't be afraid to tug a few heartstrings!

But..don't reveal too much
While it may help to establish a personal connection with the seller, you don't want to let the seller know too much, either. Try not to tell the homeowner exactly how much you love the home -- it may come to hurt you during the negotiation process. If the seller were to know, for example, that the house is the perfect one for you and you'd be willing to do almost anything to get it, this will give him or her the upper hand. Try to keep a "poker face" as much as you can during the negotiation.

Prioritize
Decide what's most important to you during the negotiation. Is it getting the absolutely lowest price or getting the seller to make needed fixes to the home? If you decide what's most important to you, you can smooth the way during the negotiation process by compromising with the seller on some points while holding out for the ones that matter most.

Get it in writing
Don't assume that items like the washer and dryer are included with the house. Negotiate what will be included in the sale -- e.g., the refrigerator, the dishwasher, etc., and make sure that those items are written in your contract.

Snap some pics
While you'll want to get what you've negotiated into writing, you may want to get it in photos, too. Take some pictures of items that you've negotiated to remain in the home and include them with the contract. That way, there's no way to debate, for example, just which custom window treatments are supposed to stay in the home.

Ask for more
It's a good idea to ask for more than you want during the negotiation process. Don't ask for the sky, but you might want to request more concessions than you need -- say, also asking to keep the dining room chandelier when you really only want the roof repaired. That way, you can "give in" to the seller on items like the chandelier, but get items that really matter -- like moving into a house where the roof won't leak.

Keep your cool
Negotiations proceed best when both parties are reasonable and don't let their feelings get in the way. When negotiating the purchase of your new home, try not to let your emotions take control. The worst atmosphere for negotiations is an adversarial one, where the buyer and seller are at odds with each other and refuse to compromise. Listen to the seller and try to understand where they are coming from.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Friday, March 26, 2010

Homes for sale Sammamish

1303 270th Lane SE Sammamish - $604,500
Main Photo
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3
Year Built: 2005
Subdivision: Trossachs
Lot Size: 6718
Garage Size: 3
School District: ISS
Square Footage: 3290
Agent Name: Cindy Laycock
Broker: The Cascade Team
MLS #: 45790
Price: $604,500
1303 270th Lane SE
Sammamish, WA 98075
  • Range/Oven
  • Washer/Dryer
  • Dishwasher
  • Sink Disposal
  • Microwave
  • Fireplace
  • Hardwood Floors
  • Kitchen Island
  • Vaulted Ceilings
Beautiful, nearly new, Murray Franklyn home located in the highly sought after Trossachs Community. Enjoy the open spaciousness of this large 3,290 sq ft hm with bedrooms, den and 3 baths. Gorgeous maple floors, slab granite in kitchen, HUGE bonus room, surround sound and Cascade Mountain views from many of the rooms! Additional amenities include upgraded tiles and carpet/padding thru-out home and slate tile around family room fireplace. Quiet street, conveniently located near a community park.
The Cascade Team
425.396.4569
Powered by vFlyer.com Equal Housing OpportunityVFLYER ID: 3203430
All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change

Homes for Sale Snoqualmie Ridge

Snoqualmie - 7210 Laurel Ave SE - $725,000.00
Main Photo
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3.75
Parking Spaces: 3
Year Built: 1999
Subdivision: Snoqualmie Ridge
Lot Size: 9170 Sq. Ft.
Garage Size: 3
School District: SVS
Square Footage: 3520
Agent Name: Danielle Koval 206-999-0890 or Melissa Wilson 206-778-8847
Broker: The Cascade Team
MLS #: 46180
Price: $725,000.00
7210 Laurel Ave SE
Snoqualmie, WA 98065
Stunning view home on tee box of 3rd fairway of TPC Snoqualmie Ridge. Gourmet kitchen with slab granite, SS appliances and Sub-Zero makes this an entertainer's dream. Kitchen flows into open great room that showcases the panoramic views this home offers. Main floor Master offers many upgrades including a fireplace and spa like bathroom with a jetted tub and dual shower. All bedrooms have a private bath attached. Upgrades include AC, sprinkler, central vac and wired for a generator. For more information contact Danielle Koval 206-999-0890 or Melissa Wilson 206-778-8847.

The Cascade Team
425.396.4569
Powered by vFlyer.com Equal Housing OpportunityVFLYER ID: 3203439
All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change

Introducing Mobile MLS Search from The Cascade Team!



1) All Listings from every Brokerage
2) Sqft, Bed, bath, etc
3) Multiple photos
4) Tax info
5) Sold info
6) School info
7) Lot details
8) Estimated Mortgage
9) Neighborhood maps
10) REQUEST A SHOWING!


The Cascade Team Mobile MLS phone App. allows consumers to view all available MLS listing information on homes for sale around them anytime, anywhere, from the convenience of their cell phone, iPhone or Blackberry on any service provider. You can search for properties based on your GPS location, address, city or zip code. The application shows detailed MLS information, including price, beds/baths, Sqft, lot size, taxes, estimated mortgage, school info, maps and even photos! When you’re ready to see a property, then simply hit the "Call To See button" and you will be routed directly to an agent.

Text CCTMLS to 87778 for your FREE Mobile MLS Search or just click this link to download on-line.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Homes for Sale Snoqualmie Ridge

Snoqualmie - 7701 Fairway Ave SE , #201 - $275,000.00
Main Photo
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Parking Spaces: 1
Year Built: 2003
Subdivision: Snoqualmie Ridge
Located on Floor #: 2
Floors in Bldg: 2
School District: SVS
Square Footage: 1322
Agent Name: Bridget Franklin 425-985-2158
Broker: The Cascade Team
MLS #: 45949
Price: $275,000.00
Homeowner Dues: 350. per month
7701 Fairway Ave SE , #201,
Snoqualmie, WA 98065
Location can’t be beat! This 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo at The Falls in Snoqualmie Ridge is located in the only building offering only 3 units; therefore having virtually no shared walls giving every room an abundant amount of light and privacy. The home features an open kitchen with breakfast bar, large dining area and open family room with gas fireplace and private deck to enjoy views of the Cascade Mountains. French doors lead to the den or 3rd bedroom. The master suite offers a walk-in closet and private bath with large shower. There is also an additional guest room and bath. A nice size laundry room and attached garage with additional storage complete the unit. Located next to a community park, walking trails and close to all Snoqualmie Ridge amenities. Well cared for – must see! For more information contact Bridget franklin at 425-985-2158.

The Cascade Team
425.396.4569
Powered by vFlyer.com Equal Housing OpportunityVFLYER ID: 3202488
All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change

Homes for Sale Issaquah

Issaquah - 700 Front St S , #A204, - $249,000.00
Main Photo
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 1.5
Parking Spaces: 2
Year Built: 1987
Subdivision: Issaquah
Located on Floor #: 2
School District: ISS
Square Footage: 1238
Agent Name: Matt Jensen 206-909-8200
Broker: The Cascade Team
MLS #: 45879
Price: $249,000.00
700 Front St S , #A204
Issaquah, WA 98029
Come see this immaculately remodeled 2 story condo unit featuring huge kitchen with center island, granite slab counters, under-mount stainless steel sink, track lighting and all appliances included. Cozy wood burning fireplace in living room. Classy dining room with ceiling fan and slider to covered view deck. Master with walk-in closet and full bathroom with granite slab counters, tub with tile surround and connecting door to 2nd bedroom. Grand vaulted entry and designer paint accents. Brand new full sized Kenmore washer and dryer. Two covered parking stall and 3 storage units included. Enjoy wonderful territorial and Squak Mountain views from your new home today! For more information contact Matt Jensen at 206-909-8200.

The Cascade Team
425.396.4569
Powered by vFlyer.com Equal Housing OpportunityVFLYER ID: 3202391
All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change

Housing's Big "Shadow": Up to 10M More Homes Could Be for Sale, Zillow.com Says

With mortgage rates still near generational lows, national home prices down more than 20% from the peak and the government providing tax incentives for homebuyers, it seems like a great time to buy a house; at least, that's what your friendly neighborhood realtor says on those late-night TV commercials.

But is it true?

"If you've got good credit and can put a down payment down...and you're planning to stay in the house for an extended period of time [like] seven-to-10 years, then now could be an attractive time to buy," says Zillow.com chief economist Stan Humphries.

But those people who can afford to wait to buy a house are probably better off, Humphries says. Based on the most recent data, there are 3.6 million existing homes and 236,000 new homes for sale in America; that equates to 8.6 months and 9.2 months of supply, respectively, based on current sales rates.

But that's only half the story. Humphries notes the official inventory numbers "don't capture all the foreclosures that are out there," or the so-called shadow inventory of homes waiting to come on the market.

So how big is the "shadow" hanging over housing? A recent Zillow.com survey shows 8% of homeowners, or about 10 million Americans, are "very likely" to sell if and as local conditions improve.

Humphries doesn't expect anywhere near 10 million more homes to come on the market in the near term. But this "pent-up supply" combined with foreclosures already in the pipeline and those yet to come because of negative equity and job losses means it will take three-to-five years "before we see more normal appreciation rates return to the market," the economist predicts.

In other words, time is still on the buyers' side -- yes it is.

“Creative” Real Estate Gifts



Stuck trying to work out what to buy a colleague for their birthday? The following half a dozen gift’s, all available from cafepress, will give you some ideas. They certainly brought a smile to my face this morning, it seems even God is trying to show Realtors the path.




Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Snoqualmie Ridge Home for Sale

Snoqualmie - 34516 SE Osprey Ct - $279,900.00
Main Photo
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2.5
Parking Spaces: 1
Year Built: 2000
Subdivision: Snoqualmie Ridge
School District: SVS
Square Footage: 1289
Agent Name: Bridget Franklin 425-985-2158
Broker: The Cascade Team
MLS #: 29149274
Price: $279,900.00
34516 SE Osprey Ct
Snoqualmie, WA 98065
Charming Cottage Home with private open space in front and fenced back yard. This 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath home also has a large loft perfect for the home office, fitness room or play room. This home features a large open family room connecting the dining room and kitchen. The Master Bedroom suite has its own private bath and his and her closets. The home also has a private fully fenced yard. All Appliances included - including washer & dryer. Close to all that Snoqualmie Ridge has to offer.
The Cascade Team
425.396.4569
Powered by vFlyer.com Equal Housing OpportunityVFLYER ID: 2907424
All information in this site is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and is subject to change